Did you know that one in six Brits believe love is dead? But don’t despair; we’ve asked eharmony’s relationship expert Verity Hogan to share her top tips on how to inject romance back into your life...
Relationships on Female First
Is your life lacking romance? If so, you’re not alone. A study by eharmony recently revealed that one in six Brits – including those in relationships – believe that romance is dead. Busy lifestyles, an over-reliance on text communication, and emotional unavailability may all be to blame. But don’t lose hope just yet; it is possible to inject romance back into your life, whether you’re coupled up or single.
1. Discover your love language
When it comes to showing love, not everyone is the same. In fact, there are five different love languages that people use to give and receive love. Some favour words of affirmation, others quality time, while receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch are also options.
The difficulty with this is that everyone’s idea of romance is different too. You may be someone that likes to be romantic by showering that special someone with gifts, while they would much prefer it if you offered them quality time instead.
If you’re able to identify the love language that speaks to you – and communicate that preference to others – you’ll increase your chances of feeling the love when you do receive it.
2. Do sweat the small stuff
It’s tempting to think that being romantic means big gestures. Fancy restaurants, surprise weekends away, delivering a dozen roses. But eharmony’s study found that 62% of people would prefer a small romantic gesture, such as giving an earnest compliment or noticing the small things they do. Taking time to kiss a loved one and going for a romantic walk also proved popular. So, when it comes to romance, it seems that it is the thought – rather than the cost – that counts.
3. Ask for what you want
It may not sound very romantic but the only way that you’ll be guaranteed to get more romance in your life is to ask for it. Of course, there are natural romantics out there but, unfortunately, no mind readers, so if your partner isn’t the romantic type, you will need to ask for what you want.
Positive reinforcement also helps. If your boyfriend or girlfriend brings you breakfast in bed on your anniversary or treats you to a neck massage at the end of a long day, make sure you let them know how much you appreciate the gesture and what it means to you. This positive reaction will encourage them to be more romantic every day, rather than just on special occasions.
4. Don’t depend on others
If you’re not in a relationship, you can still have romance in your life. Don’t wait for a date. If you want to buy yourself a bouquet of flowers or go out for lunch at a beautiful café, do it. You can even find romance by surrounding yourself with people that you love in an unromantic way. Spend time with the friends and family that make you feel good, are considerate with your feelings, and give you that warm and fuzzy feeling.
And if you’re single and dating, bring some romance back into your dating life. 50% of single Brits feel people don’t pay any thought to the messages they send on dating apps, so buck the trend and make an effort with yours. You’ll be surprised at how many people will follow your lead when you make things more romantic from the outset. The same goes for dates; don’t settle for drinks in the same old local pub, suggest a romantic sunset stroll or cinema date under the stars instead.
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